“Then I’d be fuming” – Van der Voort criticises PDC stars’ lax attitude at World Series event in Auckland

Vincent van der Voort took little pleasure from the New Zealand Darts Masters in Auckland. The former PDC pro is critical of both the standard and the image of the World Series event. According to Van der Voort, some players did not appear to be fully committed to winning.

In the Darts Draait Door podcast, Van der Voort was asked for his take on the tournament in New Zealand. His verdict was clear. “It is not exactly a calling card for darts. They are not going all out for the win.”

Van der Voort believes the event partly misses its purpose. The World Series aims to promote darts internationally, but the Dutchman questions whether a tournament like Auckland, staged this way, truly advertises the sport.

“This does not seem to be what the World Series is meant for. But we have to make do with it,” says Van der Voort. He does see a positive in the fact the matches are broadcast in the Netherlands. “It is great that Viaplay airs it and everyone can watch. Because of course you do not have to watch.”

His main objection lies in the sporting impression. Van der Voort fears that new viewers in particular did not get a great first look at darts.

“If you strip it right back, this tournament is no showcase for darts,” he continues. “If people watch for the first time, they will think: I never need to see this again. What a bunch of soft touches that is.”

When asked if he really thought it was that poor, Van der Voort left little room for doubt. “Yes, I think it is absolutely nothing.”

He views the trip to New Zealand mainly as an attractive getaway for the invited players. Van der Voort also references Gian van Veen’s vlog, in which the Dutchman gives a behind-the-scenes look during his stay on the other side of the world.

“These are all trips for people who simply enjoy going there. You see Gian’s vlog, he is busy with all kinds of other things. And the darts is just tacked on. They earn a lot of money and that is all fine. Only, it has nothing to do with sport. This is purely promotion for darts.”

The line-up also comes up. Several big names did not travel to New Zealand. Van der Voort has little sympathy for players who seem hard to entice to make the trip to Auckland.

“You can hardly drag them there. Nobody wants to go. That is why you end up with this field.”

But even among some of those who did make the journey, he says he missed real conviction. “If you do go, there are plenty who think: this will do. Not all of them, of course, but there are definitely a few who think: this is fine as it is.”

Van der Voort also looks at it from the organiser’s perspective. If he were responsible for promoting the World Series, some players’ attitude would seriously grate.

“If I had been a darts promoter, if I were Barry Hearn, I would be tearing my hair out. A lot of money is paid to get those guys to the other side of the world. And half of them think: this is all fine. I would really not be okay with that.”

Finally, Van der Voort has little time for players’ complaints about the weather in New Zealand. August is winter there and, according to the former pro, that should not come as a surprise to seasoned World Series participants.

“Great, right? It is just winter there,” he responds with a laugh when the subject comes up. “They found it cold there. Yeah, great.”

Van der Voort also points out that many players have been to New Zealand before and therefore know what to expect. “It is not as if he is going there for the first time. The winters are not like the winters we have here or in Norway. But you just know it is not as warm as it is there in January.”